Police praise festival goers

Police have praised punters after the first day (August 25) at the Carling Weekend: Reading Festival.

There have been 205 crimes so far, down on last year’s figures, with the majority reported being thefts from tents.

So far there has been less than 50 arrests, though Thames Valley Police say they have been pleased that “revellers have been well behaved and in good spirits”.

However they warned festival goers not to leave possessions in their tents.

“We have made 41 arrests so far, and again these were mainly for thefts from tents,” said commanding officer Supt Steve Hockin.

“The message therefore is very clear, don’t leave anything of value in your tent. Any money, cards, mobile phones and anything else of value, keep on you at all times.”

Stay tuned to NME.COM/festivals for full coverage from both sites of the Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds Festivals including news, pictures and blogs, and check out next week’s issue of NME – out August 30 – for the ultimate festival review.